Acclaimed actor Manasi Parekh, who will be soon seen in new Gujarati movie Maharani, shared insights about her upcoming movie, her creative collaborators, and the power of storytelling rooted in social issues. Maharani is a film that brings humour and heart to the everyday relationship between a modern woman and her house help—both characters portrayed by National Award–winning actors.
In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Manasi spoke about the central theme of the film and also explained its emotional and social resonance.
“This is a very big thing, it's a big thing to tell the people that yes, please speak to them with respect treat them as your friends and family they are your staff so treat them like your staff so to say this big thing we needed two big people national award winners and that was the thought behind casting them and saying this film.”
Why She Instantly Said Yes
When asked how she came on board Maharani, Manasi said:
“Yes, absolutely as soon as she said one line I was like, I am in.”
She went on to highlight her trust in the team behind the film:
“And with Viral we have made Kutch Express and Gol Kel and among the writers Ram Mori who is sitting here Ram Mori, Hardik Sangani and Virel they have written the film so we knew it would be fun it would be well written.”
On Casting and the Bold Role of Rani
Manasi praised her co-star Shraddha Dangar for playing the house help—a role that is often overlooked but is central to the story:
“Shraddha, you have played a role in the film which no one takes easily to play the character of a house help which is a big thing to play a role which is done by the household.”
When the interviewer asked Shraddha if she was ready to take on such a role, she said:
“Yes I mean this film Maharani I think only this film can't be refused by any actor because as Mansi said there are two national award-winning actresses in this film and of course this film is directed by a national award-winning director so my priority has always been the script and the film of course that if the story is good then people will come to watch it and when there is a good team good actors then what else do you need?”
To which Manasi added: “Yes of course I knew that.”
She further emphasized: “Rani's character I mean every actor should play this character once in their life.”
On Gujarati Language, Audiences, and Global Reach
Manasi reflected on the pride of working in Gujarati and how the industry has evolved:
“100% I have been in the Hindi industry for many years and I love the Hindi industry it has given me a lot but in Gujarati you smile because you know we are the most comfortable in our mother tongue right so when we speak in Gujarati there is a different satisfaction and Gujarati stars are getting recognition all over the world Gujaratis are from Germany Gujaratis are from Switzerland Gujaratis are watching this content so that’s because of our actors and producers and directors who over the last so many years are making good content so I am glad I am glad we are a part of this trend.”
On the cultural differences between Gujarati spoken in Mumbai and Gujarat:
“Mumbai's Gujarati is a different type of people Mumbai or Gujarati now I am Mumbai or Gujarati and they speak Hindi and Marathi but Gujarat's Gujarati is more pure Gujarati so when you see the trailer you will say that it is a Gujarat-based story not Mumbai Gujarat Bombay's Gujarati doesn’t know but the Gujaratis there know.”
The Food on Set Was Legendary
Manasi described how food brought everyone together:
“Food was the most common binding factor because food from Mansi's house 5 litres of juice used to come and from my house Gulab jamun is coming and our art director is getting pasta our DOPA is getting quinoa salad so yes Gujarati people eat everything.”
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